York Acorn's GMB Union National Cup second round tie with Victoria Rangers had all the hall marks of a banana skin and for the first half there was a danger the hosts would slip up.

The Blue and Golds were off form for most of the half but picked up after the break to win 32-13.

The Bradford-based Pennine League premier division outfit enjoyed the early possession and took the lead when dangerous stand-off Mick Sigston dummied and cut through, the conversion being added. But Acorn bounced back as stand-off Danny Liddell capitalised on quick hands to round the cover and score out wide.

With props Mick Hagan and Adam Endersby running strongly, it seemed only a matter of time before the hosts took control. However, the visitors edged further ahead with a drop goal.

Gradually, though, Acorn found their feet and although their next points came from good fortune, it had been coming. Acorn's defence pressured Victoria deep in their own half, with a crunching tackle seeing the ball bounce out for Liddell to pick up and cross.

Again Acorn were expected to cut loose but once more Victoria exposed a weakness down the right to notch their second converted try.

Nevertheless, Acorn hit back before the break when winger Jon Waldron danced into the Rangers half before sending loose-forward Michael Embleton racing in, Brundrett goaling for a 14-13 interval lead.

Whatever was said at the break had the desired effect as Acorn dominated the second half, with man of the match Nicky Caldwell to the fore.

Excellent approach play enabled Waldron to turn on the turbo when racing 40 yards for his second try and this time Acorn were disciplined enough to quell the response and get onto the front foot.

Embleton stamped his class on the game with his second try, Brundrett goaling, and after Rangers' defence had frustrated them for a while, Caldwell steamrollered in for a deserved try, Brundrett goaling.

The final stages became fractious with Acorn substitutes Fran Starkey and Paul Payne sin-binned, while a Rangers player was sent off.

Nonetheless, Acorn - who visit Illingworth in round three - should have increased their lead, especially when another fine Caldwell break saw the final ball go to ground.

It was a strange display by the hosts, with glimpses of class mixed with moments of poor play, and they will need to play better next week when they visit arch-rivals Heworth wanting a win to secure their Arriva Trains Conference status.

Updated: 11:55 Monday, February 23, 2004